How is mail better than Gmail??

Question

Level 1

99 points

How is mail better than Gmail??

Hello,
I have been using web-based gmail for a long time now and really love it. For those of you that use Mail to access your gmail account, what do you like better about Mail???
Just wanted to get some opinions before really thinking about switching...
Thanks.

Macbook 2.0, Mac OS X (10.4.8), 120gb hdd/1gb ram/Flickering Screen

Posted on Oct 9, 2006 9:30 AM

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Answer 1

Oct 9, 2006 10:03 AM in response to skeelo221

It's not so much a switch, since it's using the same account..ie you can always access Gmail on the web if you need to.

The benefit of using Mail versus web access is convenience and integration.. Having mail always available on your computer, whether you are connected to the internet or not, being able to easily send attachments by dropping on the Mail icon, having mailto: links on webpages open up a new message window allowing you to compose and send directly, integration with iCal, iPhoto, AddressBook, etc.

The better question may be, what can you do through web access that you can't do through Mail?

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Answer 2

skeelo221 Author

Level 1

99 points

Oct 9, 2006 10:43 AM in response to Mike-N-nahyunil

My main concerns were having the program always open taking up some system resources. I am also really impressed with Gmail's search and filter capabilities which is why I was hoping for someone who uses Gmail to chime in.
Thanks!

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Answer 3

Oct 9, 2006 10:57 AM in response to skeelo221

My main reason to use the mail.app to get my gmail is the easy part...
I have mail open all day,and it is imho easier to see a new mail the moment I get it,instead of going to the gmail site every time I want to check my incoming mail.

I never visit the gmail site anymore.

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Answer 4

Oct 9, 2006 4:16 PM in response to skeelo221

Mail doesn't have to always be open and using system resources. You open it when you want to look at your mail and quit it when you're done. It will automatically open if you send anything to it from those other applications with which it is integrated.

Mail's search also takes advantage of Spotlight allowing for searching, and Smart Folders. Of course you can also file your messages in folders in Mail and use Rules to filter them automatically.

Why not simply set up your Gmail account in Mail and try using it? It won't prevent you from continuing to use web browser access of Gmail, but it will give you additional functionality.

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Answer 5

skeelo221 Author

Level 1

99 points

Oct 10, 2006 8:38 PM in response to Mike-N-nahyunil

Something funny happened to me today. I setup Mail to POP my gmail account. It downloaded about 1.5 gigs of mail off there and during that time I was still using web access just fine. Then after a few hours I get an "unusual usage: lockdown in sector 4" message!!

Our system indicates unusual usage of your account. In order to protect Gmail users from potentially harmful use of Gmail, this account has been disabled for up to 24 hours.

If you are using any third party software that interacts with your Gmail account, please disable it or adjust it so that its use complies with the Gmail Terms of Use. If you feel that you have been using your Gmail account according to the Terms of Use or otherwise normally, please contact us using this form to report this problem.

Has anyone seen this?!?!

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Answer 6

Oct 11, 2006 6:12 AM in response to skeelo221

It is a real message from them.. Probably to protect you in case someone has managed to steal your password, or otherwise gained access to your account.

You should contact them and explain what happened. As long as it was you doing the "unusual activity" and you were not sending out spam, they shouldn't have a problem.

Why am I receiving a lockdown in sector 4 message?

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